Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is not moving on too quickly from her exchange with Twitter owner Elon Musk over a subscription plan.
After the Congresswoman voiced her disapproval of possibly paying $8 a month for more features, the billionaire businessman responded, “Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8.”
Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2022
He also shared a screenshot of a $58 sweatshirt for sale on her website.
Ocasio-Cortez responded on Wednesday night, “Proud of this and always will be. My workers are union, make a living wage, have full healthcare, and aren’t subject to racist treatment in their workplaces. Items are made in USA.”
“Team AOC honors and respects working people. You should try it sometime instead of union-busting,” she added.
Proud of this and always will be.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 3, 2022
My workers are union, make a living wage, have full healthcare, and aren’t subject to racist treatment in their workplaces. Items are made in USA.
Team AOC honors and respects working people. You should try it sometime instead of union-busting. https://t.co/TCOh3IHXlF
In a separate tweet, she explained her notifications “conveniently aren’t working tonight so I was informed via text that I seem to have gotten under a certain billionaire’s skin.”
She added, “Just a reminder that money will never [buy] your way out of insecurity, folks.”
Also my twitter mentions/notifications conveniently aren’t working tonight, so I was informed via text that I seem to have gotten under a certain billionaire’s skin 😂
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 3, 2022
Just a reminder that money will never by your way out of insecurity, folks.
Ocasio-Cortez then mocked Musk’s decision to pay $44 billion for Twitter as she wrote, “One guy’s business plan for a $44 billion over-leveraged purchase is apparently to run around and individually ask people for $8. Remember that next time you question yourself or your qualifications.”
After taking a break overnight, the Congresswoman resumed tweeting about Musk as she wrote, “Yo [Musk] while I have your attention, why should people pay $8 just for their app to get bricked when they say something you don’t like?”
Yo @elonmusk while I have your attention, why should people pay $8 just for their app to get bricked when they say something you don’t like?
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 3, 2022
This is what my app has looked like ever since my tweet upset you yesterday. What’s good? Doesn’t seem very free speechy to me 🤔 pic.twitter.com/e3hcZ7T9up
“This is what my app has looked like ever since my tweet upset you yesterday. What’s good? Doesn’t seem very free speechy to me,” she added.
Earlier this week, Musk shared his plan to raise the cost of the platform’s subscription service Twitter Blue to $8 per month — which kicked off the spat.
The Verge reported that Musk wants to change the subscription to add more features, including conferring the verified status to subscribers.
According to Twitter, verified status is meant to let “people know that an account of public interest is authentic.” And currently, the process to apply for verification is free as long as a user meets the requirements of being “authentic, notable, and active.”
People would still be able to use Twitter if they did not pay for the subscription plan, but they would not enjoy as many features.